Sports

Denver likely will need to continue navigating life without both Jokic and Millsap on Friday at Orlando

By Gina Mizell

The Denver Post

Posted:
12/06/2017 09:01:55 PM MST

Updated:
12/06/2017 09:02:14 PM MST

NEW ORLEANS — The Nuggets did not have Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap. The Pelicans did not have Anthony Davis.

But in a matchup missing the bulk of its frontcourt star power, New Orleans still had DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins powered his way to 40 points and 22 rebounds, anchoring the Pelicans' high-scoring attack in a 123-114 victory Wednesday night at Smoothie King Center.

The loss was Denver's second in a row to start a six-game road trip and dropped the Nuggets to 3-9 away from Pepsi Center. After racking up a season-high 146 points in their first meeting with the Pelicans, New Orleans returned the favor on their home court by shooting 53.5 from the floor.

It all started with Cousins, who matched his season high in points. He dropped 15 points in the second quarter, including a nifty three-point play in which he crossed over Kenneth Faried at the top of the key, spun in the lane and converted through contact. He stepped out to drill two 3-pointers in the third quarter. He assisted on a Darius Miller 3-pointer in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter that put New Orleans up by double digits.

For much of the game, Denver kept up with New Orleans' offensive firepower. The Nuggets (13-11) led by 10 points in the first quarter and by seven in the second. They were within three when Malik Beasley opened the final quarter with a 3-pointer. But the Pelicans' lead grew to as many as 20 points in the final 12 minutes.

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Jrue Holiday (27 points, seven assists) and Rajon Rondo (11 points, six rebounds, seven assists) complemented Cousins on the perimeter. Denver also got the bulk of its scoring from its backcourt, with Gary Harris finishing with 24 points and four assists, Will Barton adding 15 points and seven rebounds in his return to the starting lineup and Emmanuel Mudiay scoring 17 off the bench.

Denver likely will need to continue navigating life without both Jokic and Millsap on Friday at Orlando. Coach Michael Malone and Jokic have both expressed optimism about his recovery, but project sometime next week as his earliest possible return date.

The good news for the Nuggets? Against the Magic, they won't need to try to stop DeMarcus Cousins.

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